Local Government 2015-2016

The Senate Local Government Committee met on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 and took the following action:

Reported As Committed:

HB 1885 (White) – This legislation would cause any sanctuary municipality to be liable for damages if a person living within the municipality is determined to be in the country illegally and is convicted of a crime that causes injury.

HB 2186 (Harper) – Establishes uniform residential qualifications of office for persons seeking election to, or appointment to fill a vacancy in, a municipal elected office where recent service in the military might interfere with the person’s ability to satisfy the relevant residency requirements.

Reported As Amended:

HB 297 (Evankovich) – This legislation would require a Coroner or Medical Examiner to wait a minimum of 72 hours or until the next of kin was notified before releasing autopsy results to the public unless the results posed a public health emergency.

The Senate Local Government Committee met on Friday, July 1, 2016 and took the following action:

Reported As Committed:

HB 1998 (Petri) – This legislation amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) regarding the structure of a parking authority board in a city of the first class. The bill was reported unanimously from committee.

The Senate Local Government Committee met on Tuesday, May 5, 2016 and took the following action:

Reported As Committed:

HB 902 (Ross) – This legislation would amend Act 78 of 19791 to authorize political subdivisions and authorities to enter into contracts for services when two consecutive advertisements fail to induce bids.

Reported As Amended:

HB 1394 (Mustio) – This legislation amends the Borough Code to authorize a borough to assess reasonable and uniform fees for storm water management activities and facilities without the need to establish a municipal authority. Amendment A07052 was adopted in committee, the amendment adds Third-Class Cities to the legislation.

The Senate Local Government Committee met on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 and took to following action:

Reported As Committed:

SB 1038 (White) – This bill would amend the Juvenile Detention Homes, Board of Managers Act, Act 293 of 1921 by allowing a judge of the court of common pleas to serve on a juvenile detention board in third class counties.

Reported As Amended:

HB 1325 (Mustio) – This bill would amend the Second Class Township Code, Act 69 of 1933, to authorize the board of supervisors to enact and enforce ordinances governing the creation or maintenance of storm water facilities. Amendment A06385 would limit the assessed fees such that they would not exceed the amount necessary to meet the minimum requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) and Federal or State laws governing the implementation of the Clean Water Act. The amendment would also require fee exemptions for properties meeting best storm water management practices.

HB 1394 (Mustio) – This bill would amend Title 8, the Borough Code, to authorize borough council to enact and enforce ordinances governing the creation or maintenance of storm water management facilities. Amendment A06269 would limit the assessed fees such that they would not exceed the amount necessary to meet the minimum requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) and Federal or State laws governing the implementation of the Clean Water Act. The amendment would also require fee exemptions for properties meeting best storm water management practices.

HB 1661 (Mustio) – This bill would amend the First Class Township Code, Act 331 of 1931, to authorize the board of commissioners to create or acquire, through purchase, deed of dedication, or eminent domain, a storm water system or facility and to enact and enforce ordinances governing storm water management. Amendment A06270 would limit the assessed fees such that they would not exceed the amount necessary to meet the minimum requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) and Federal or State laws governing the implementation of the Clean Water Act. The amendment would also require fee exemptions for properties meeting best storm water management practices.

The Senate Local Government Committee met on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 and took the following action:

Reported As Amended:

HB 1296(Harper) – This legislation expands the permissible financial products in which municipalities, school districts and municipal authorities may invest their general fund moneys. A technical amendment was added to the bill and was adopted unanimously.

The Senate Local Government Committee met on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 and took the following action:

Reported As Committed:

SB 341 (Blake) – This bill amends Titles 53 (municipalities Generally) and 65 (Public Officers) by establishing that a conflict of interest by a ember of a municipal authority in the award of any contract or agreement is prohibited act and empowers appropriate agencies with enforcement and prosecutorial powers. This bill was voted with unanimous support.

SB 343(Teplitz) – This bill enacts the First Class City and County Interest Rate Management Agreement Act it places certain restrictions on the use of interest-rate management agreements otherwise known as “swaps”. This bill was voted with unanimous support.

SB 344(Eichelberger) – This bill amends the Public Works Contractors’ Bond Law of 1967 to insure one hundred percent project performance security for local governments. This bill was voted with unanimous support.

Reported As Amended:

SB 340(Eichelberger) – This bill amends the Local Government Unit Debt Act (LGUDA) in Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) by strengthening regulatory oversight by DCED and restrictions on municipal borrowing and project financing. Amendment A03718 was offered in committee by Senator Eichelberger, the amendment clarifies the definition of “working capital”, along with other technical changes.

SB 342(Folmer) – This bill amends Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) by restricting the use of interest-rate management agreements, otherwise known as “swaps”. An amendment was offered by Senator Hutchinson and it was voted with unanimous support.

SB 997 (Alloway) – This bill amends Titles 42 and 53 providing an exception to governmental immunity for municipalities of refuge, and precluding municipalities of refuge from applying to state law enforcement grant programs or participating in surplus state property sales. An amendment was offered by Senator Hutchinson to define “municipality”, the bill was voted out of committee on a 7-4 vote.

The Senate Local Government Committee met on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 and took the following action.

Reported as Committed:

SB 791 (Eichelberger) – This bill amends the Second Class Township Code by adding language which references the Pennsylvania Constitution for basis of removal of elected officials.

SB 526 (Gordner) – This bill amends the The Second Class Township Code, in auditors and accountants, further providing for completion, filing and publication of annual township report and financial statement.

The Senate Local Government Committee met on June 10, 2015 and took the following action:

Reported As Committed:

SB 775 (Eichelberger) – An Act amending Title 11 (Cities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, consolidating The Third Class City Code; making revisions concerning records of ordinances maintained by the city clerk, bond, insurance and salary, qualifications for office of city treasurer, committee preparation of uniform financial report forms, observances, celebrations and recognition, selection of appointee from certified list of applicants and support of Pennsylvania National Guard units.

SB 792 (Wozniak) – An Act amending the act of June 24, 1931 (P.L.1206, No.331), known as The First Class Township Code. Further providing for powers of the board of township commissioners as to building and housing regulations and inspectors.

SB 871 (Eichelberger) – An Act amending the act of June 24, 1931 (P.L.1206, No.331), known as The First Class Township Code, in corporate powers, further providing for the corporate power of first class townships vested in the board of township commissioners.

SB 872 (Eichelberger) – An Act amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.103, No.69), known as The Second Class Township Code, in corporate powers, further providing for observances and celebrations.

SB 793 (Hutchinson) – An Act amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.103, No.69), known as The Second Class Township Code, in corporate powers, further providing for building and housing regulations and repealing provisions relating to building and housing inspectors; and providing for Uniform Construction Code, property maintenance code and reserved powers.

The Senate Local Government Committee met on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 and took the following action:

Reported As Committed:

SB 898 (Hutchinson) – Amends the Second Class County Code to clarify how property tax rates must be adjusted following a countywide reassessment.

SB 899 (Hutchinson) – An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in consolidated county assessment, further providing for limitation on tax increase after countywide reassessment.

HB 1071 (Warner) – An Act to amend the Development Permit Extension Act. This legislation defines the extension of approved state and local building permits for construction projects.

Reported As Amended:

SB 785 (Eichelberger) – This bill amends Title 53 by clarifying what properties are taxable under the County Assessment Law. The amendment exempts structures under 1,000 square feet from being taxed that are not permanently attached to land or connected with utilities.

HB 66 (Godshall) – This bill amends Title 53 to prohibit an authority from acquiring a facility or selling/transferring a portion of the water or sewer infrastructure unless the authority has discussed the public benefit realized by the acquisition or sale at a public meeting. The amendment would sets an annual report filing date, along with allowing the reports to be filed electronically.

The Senate Local Government Committee met on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 and took the following action:

Reported As Committed:

HB 33 (Grell) – This legislation would amend the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) to allow the governing body to appoint up to three (3) residents of the municipality to serve as alternate members on the Planning Commission. This proposal was introduced as House Bill 1047 during the 2011-12 Legislative Session and passed the House by a vote of 184-6. The bill was approved unanimously.

HB 907 (Ross) – This legislation amends the Real Estate Tax Law by adding a definition for “posted” or “posting.” The purpose of the bill is to establish standardized requirements for posting tax delinquent property prior to a potential or actual sale of the property.

Reported As Amended:

HB 823 (Greiner) – This bill amends the Local Tax Collection Law by addressing concerns with Act 164 which was signed into law last session. The bill makes make it easier to fill vacancies, expand the criminal history checks to include tax collectors filling vacancies, clarify who can be named a deputy as well as setting up a procedure to determining the duration of any incapacitation. An amendment was offered by Senator Brooks which was adopted unanimously.